Wednesday, February 29, 2012

(Payson, Ariz.) – The Rim Golf Club in Payson, Arizona recently appointed Steve Nordstrom as the General Manager. Nordstrom is responsible for all club operations, golf operations, food and beverage, membership marketing and merchandising for this club that was recently ranked #24 in Golfweek’s 2012 Top 100 Ranking Best Residential Courses in the Country.

“I am really excited to be here at such a highly regarded club…one that is at the top of the private club lists not only in Arizona but throughout the country,” stated Nordstrom. “I look forward to working with the members and ownership to make The Rim Golf Club experience an even better one for our members and guests.”

Nordstrom brings a wealth of private club experience to The Rim Golf Club. His well-versed skillsets are highlighted with over two decades of club management of experience and additionally, more than 22 years of experience in food and beverage/restaurant management. Prior to joining The Rim Club, Nordstrom recently served as the General Manager and Chief Operating Officer at the Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club, a club consistently rated as one of the top twenty five golf courses in California and regarded as the top course in San Diego County. From 1995 through 2000, Nordstrom served as the General Manager at San Diego Country Club, a member-owned club that has hosted US Women’s Open and is the home course of the legendary champion Billy Casper. Nordstrom is no stranger to the Arizona golf scene, having served as the clubhouse manager at Moon Valley Country Club from 1989 through 1995, where he oversaw the annual LP GA Standard Register/PING tournament with over 160,000 spectators and day to day clubhouse management for this Phoenix club and its 850 members. He also has over two decades of stand alone restaurant management, serving as the General Manager of Karsten Fine Dining in Suquamish, Washington (1988 to 1989) and was the owner/operator of Ferguson’s restaurant in Phoenix, Arizona (1967 to 1988).

“It is fitting that we have a leader of this quality and skillset at a club such as The Rim Golf Club,” stated Doc Belitz, Vice President of Operations for OB Sports (management company at the Rim Golf Club. “Steve not only brings a ton of private club experience from a number of prestigious clubs, but he brings culinary and dining experience that will take our event and food and beverage atmosphere and execution at The Rim, to the next level.”

(PHOENIX) - The winners of the three major tour events on Sunday, including Hunter Mahan at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship and Angela Stanford at the HSBC Women’s Champions, all played PING equipment.

Mahan was part of a threesome of PING pros who reached the semi-finals at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club outside Tucson, Arizona, just 90 miles from the company’s headquarters in Phoenix. The 29-year-old defeated fellow PING Pro Mark Wilson in the semis before earning the title with a 2&1 victory over the #2 player in the world. The win moved Mahan to ninth in the world rankings. PING Pro Lee Westwood, ranked third in the world, also reached the semi-finals. Wilson beat Westwood 1-up to finish third.

For the week at the Match Play, PING pros recorded an impressive 19-6 record in finishing 1st, 3rd and 4th. On day one, the staff was a perfect 6-0. Bubba Watson, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Louis Oosthuizen also played in the event.

“It was a lot of fun last week to follow the progress of all of our players,” said John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO. “I made the trip to Tucson to watch Hunter in the finals while keeping a close eye on Mark’s and Lee’s match for third place. Obviously, it was well worth the trip. Our entire staff made us very proud. To have three of the four finalists in the Match Play was unheard of and gave us tremendous worldwide exposure. Angela’s win in Singapore added to a perfect weekend for PING on tour.

“Plus, Hunter gave our new Nome putter instant validation. We’ve been inundated with calls, texts, tweets, Facebook posts and emails inquiring about the new putter. The traffic to our website on Sunday nearly doubled. We couldn’t ask for much more.”

Mahan relied on 14 PING clubs, including the new Nome putter that he added to his bag on Monday of tournament week after an alignment-testing session with Matt Rollins, PING’s Senior Player Development Manager. Mahan also used a G20 driver and 3-wood, S56 irons, Anser forged wedges and an i15 hybrid.

In Singapore, Stanford prevailed in a four-player, three-hole playoff for her fifth career title. After a 66 gave her the first-round lead, she posted rounds of 70-71-71 at the Tanah Merah Country Club to earn a spot in the playoff. She played an i20 driver, i20 irons, G20 3-wood and hybrid (23 degree), Tour-S wedges and a Scottsdale Anser 2 putter.

The winner of the Mayakoba Classic played 12 PING clubs, including a Scottsdale Wolverine C putter, which will be immortalized in the PING Gold Putter Vault along with Mahan’s Nome and Stanford’s Scottsdale Anser 2.

(DOBSON, N.C.) - Fairways, chardonnays and cabernets are coming together to form a new golfing destination in North Carolina.

The Yadkin Valley Golf Experience launches this March with unique packages combining golf, lodging, and winery visits in North Carolina's burgeoning wine country. The Yadkin Valley, located about 45 minutes northwest of Winston-Salem, features more than 30 wineries and a number of highly-regarded golf courses.

"When people think of this area, they think of fine wines and lush vineyards, but really it's a great destination for golf, too," said Surry County tourism director Chris Knopf.

In its first year, the Yadkin Valley Golf Experience will be anchored by three courses: Cedarbrook Country Club in Elkin, Cross Creek Country Club in Mount Airy, and Olde Beau Golf & Country Club in Roaring Gap.

The idea behind this distinct type of packaging is that traveling golfers and wine lovers are often one and the same. And even when they're not, those golfers probably have a spouse or significant other who is a wine enthusiast.

Typical golf industry packages include lodging and daily golf. In the Yadkin Valley, golfers receive those staples, plus a voucher for a complimentary winery tour/tasting at one of the participating wineries. Additional winery tours - or a pass to the iconic Andy Griffith Museum in the actor's hometown of Mount Airy - can be added for a nominal fee.

"We've actually seen quite a bit of interest from couples, where one is interested in golf and the other is interested in the Yadkin Valley wine region. And maybe they're interested in the Mayberry attractions, too," Knopf said. "It's a well-rounded trip for everyone in your group."

Olde Beau general manager Tommy Maines believes the timing is perfect for this type of golf packaging service.

"I like that we're getting the jump on this," Maines said. "We feel this is something really unique that will draw the type of golf clientele that is also interested in the wine country."

On the wine side, Shelton Vineyards in Dobson headlines a quartet of participating wineries, with more expected to come on board. Shelton features the largest family-owned estate winery in North Carolina.

Grassy Creek Vineyards of Elkin is also in the rotation, along with Old North State Winery in Mount Airy, and Round Peak Vineyards in Mount Airy.

"We also have a lot of great restaurants in this area that are a direct result of the wine industry," Knopf said.

The Tourism Partnership of Surry County is handling all calls and requests for the golf packages in conjunction with a state-of-the-art website: YadkinValleyGolf.com.

Golfers have the option of choosing one of two pre-planned packages, or creating custom packages tailored to their particular desires.

The pre-planned packages start at $305 per person, based on double occupancy. They include three rounds of golf (with cart), two nights lodging, winery tour, gratuity and tax.

"We've talked often about the potential from wine country visitors," said Zim Zimmerman, Cedarbrook's head golf professional. "A lot of people who are into the wine industry also have a set of clubs. We want more of them playing golf in the Yadkin Valley."

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Easy Glove North America announced a special-edition glove in celebration of 2012 being the "Year of the Dragon."

"The Year of the Dragon is particularly significant in the Chinese Zodiac" said Keith Andrews Vice President of Easy Glove. "The Dragon symbolizes fortune and good luck, and has a very spiritual meaning. We believe our unique design will be extremely well received and popular with the Chinese communities which are very influential in the golf market."

The company is now taking reservation orders for the special edition Year of the Dragon glove that will ship in time for the summer season.

Easy Glove utilizes a proprietary process that can place a digital image on up to to 90 percent of the surface area of the golf glove creating a visually striking glove that is sure to get noticed. Easy Glove can vector or raster print insuring image clarity that is vastly superior to traditional silk screening allowing intricate designs such as the Dragon to be incorporated into the glove.

"For those facilities that service Chinese communities this is a natural" said Andrews "It is completely unique and definitely a great impulse buy item that will increase sales."

To reserve the Year of the Dragon special edition glove contact Andrews at 604.989.2657 or keith@easy-glove-na.com.

Hunter Mahan Edges McIlroy to Win WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in all-Titleist Final Four

(Fairhaven, MA) - Match play often requires unique strategies and choices. At the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship the golf ball of choice was unmistakable - Titleist. In an all-Pro V1x final four, Hunter Mahan topped Titleist Brand Ambassador Rory McIlroy to capture his second World Golf Championship title, while Mark Wilson edged Lee Westwood in the 3rd place match.

Additional victories at the PGA Tour's Mayakoba Classic, the HSBC Women's Champions and Telcom PGA Championship, continue the great start to the 2012 season. Titleist golf ball loyalists have won 23 events year-to-date, compared to three for the nearest competitor. Continued proof, that when it matters most, more of the world’s best rely on the unmatched performance of Titleist.

WGC: Mahan topped McIlroy in the championship match 2 and 1 after defeating Wilson (2 and 1) in the semifinal. Mahan never trailed in the championship match en route to the fourth victory of his career. He won the Bridgestone Invitational in 2010. Mahan advanced to No. 9 in the world with the victory, the first time in his career he has been in the top 10.

McIlroy beat Westwood (3 and 1) in his semifinal match. Wilson edged Westwood 1-up in the 3rd place match.

PGA: The Mayakoba Classic winner relied upon the Pro V1 golf ball for his success. The 21-year old parred the eighth hole of a sudden death playoff for his first PGA TOUR victory in just his fifth career start. In fact, the champion parred all eight holes in a playoff that matched the second-longest in PGA Tour history. The Pro V1 loyalist closed with an 8-under 65 en route to a 13-under 271 total to reach the playoff.

LPGA: Angela Stanford (Pro V1) emerged from a four-way, all-Titleist golf ball playoff to capture the HSBC Women's Champions in Singapore. Stanford sank a three-foot par putt on the third playoff hole to top Jenny Shin (Pro V1). Shanshan Feng (Pro V1x) and Na Yeon Choi (Pro V1x) had been eliminated on the first and second holes of the playoff, respectively. The victory was Stanford's fifth on the LPGA Tour. The foursome finished regulation at 10-under 278.

Last week's winner and World No. 1 Yani Tseng (Pro V1x) came in solo 5th, one shot out of the playoff, as Titleist golf ball players occupied the top five positions on the leaderboard.

(Jacksonville, Florida) - Timuquana Country Club in Jacksonville, Fla., announced the inaugural playing of a major amateur event, The Timuquana Cup. The event will elevate the purest form of amateur golf; an invitational format that will consist of 40 of the top Mid Amateur players in the country, together with 20 of the top Senior Amateurs as well. The competition will be a 54 hole stroke play event played Oct. 19-21,

This Donald Ross classic was designed in 1923, and has been carefully preserved since its inception to insure the integrity of the architect's original plans. Like the finest of Ross's designs, the challenge lies not in its length, but in its brilliant subtleties and understated shot values.

In 2002, Timuquana Country Club was the host club to the USGA Senior Amateur Championship, and the Club and its members drew rave reviews from both the competitors and the officials from the USGA. During the summer of 2011, Timuquana regrassed the entire course, and at the same time, performed major renovation work on its Clubhouse; both accomplished with great success.

The theme of the event will be a "Gathering of Friends" with a small, select field dedicated to those individuals whose passion is amateur golf. The Timuquana Cup will be a celebration of amateur golf.

"We wanted to share a very special Donald Ross course with amateur golfers from across the country who would enjoy competing in small, select field of players", said Steve Melnyk, Timuquana Country Club member.

It is anticipated that there will be a local qualifying for Jacksonville area golfers for a limited number of spots in the event.

The tournament chairman is Steve Melnyk, and USGA Rules Official Tom Dudley will be in charge of course set up and the rules of competition. One of the highlights of this year's event will be a cocktail cruise on the St. Johns River departing from the Timuquana Country Club dock and housing will be available for many competitors in members' homes.

(Phoenix) – in fiamme (www.infiamme.net), the world’s finest Italian golf apparel, will attend the Southwest Golf Representatives Association Spring Market Feb. 28 through March 1 at the Mesa Convention Center in Mesa, Ariz. The new “Autunno” line and the 1112 collections will comprise the lines that in fiamme will exhibit at the event.

“We are excited about participating in the SGRA Spring Market and look forward to showing our lines to the SGRA reps in attendance,” said Art Kimbrough, vice president of business development for in fiamme.

Buyers and shop owners are discovering the exceptional fabrication, craftsmanship, coloration and designs of in fiamme apparel – and in fiamme’s appeal to fashion-conscious golfers as both golf and lifestyle apparel. Made-to-order in fiamme golf shirts also are available.

(Victoria, TX) – Eidolon Brands LLC, parent company of the SCORTM Golf brand, announced the appointment of Rainier Strategic Solutions to manage the field sales and trade account development for the new SCORTM brand and its SCOR4161 line of precision scoring clubs. Ranier President Kelly Walker will fill the role of National Sales Manager and associate Bob Welsh as Field Technical Director for the SCOR Golf brand.

The innovative and revolutionary SCOR4161 product line totally redesigns wedges and short irons and erases the historic divide between them. This proprietary technology gives golfers the ability to assemble a precision, custom-built set of scoring clubs from 41 to 61 degrees in loft with unprecedented playability. The technology behind the revolutionary SCOR4161 scoring clubs was designed to deliver improved shotmaking performance in the scoring zone so golfers of all skill levels can improve their short games and lower their scores. SCOR Golf President Terry Koehler believes the SCOR4161 product will make as powerful an impact on golfers’ performance in the scoring zone as hybrids did at the longer end of the set.

“The SCOR Golf brand is focused solely on innovative solutions to help golfers improve their performance with their scoring clubs,” said Koehler. “Our new partnership with Rainier Strategic Solutions and Kelly Walker will provide us with a significant opportunity to take this innovative solution to golfers through their golf professionals, teachers, fitters and favorite golf shops across the United States. Rainier’s experience and efforts will create a network of Authorized SCOR Golf Short Game Performance Centers across the country, where consumers can test and get fitted with these remarkable scoring clubs.”

Walker and his team of professional golf representatives will qualify, set up and train golf pro shops, teaching centers, fitting facilities and select retail stores as SCOR dealers, making the SCOR4161 product line available to their customers as a custom-fit, custom- built short game solution.

“We are excited to be working with Terry and the SCOR Golf team, helping to build this new brand,” said Kelly Walker, President and Founder of Rainier Strategic Solutions. “SCOR4161 is truly a revolutionary product line that performs at a high level. As a former head golf professional, I am confident that once golfers get a chance to play the SCOR4161 product line they will quickly reap the benefits of lower scores. SCOR and SCOR4161 provides an excellent opportunity for golf professionals who are dedicated to helping all golfers improve their scores.”

SCOR Golf is rapidly expanding its reach and availability across the United States and is seeking experiences sales reps for selected territories. Interested golf sales representatives should contact Kelly Walker at kelly@scorgolf.com, 253-318-4932.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Young or old, male or female, we all need to reduce tension and prevent injury. With the simple routine on this instructional DVD provided with the purchase of every Golflexx you will reduce tension AND help prevent injury.

Using Golflexx on and off the course will make a difference in your consistency. Regular use will increase range of motion for a more fluid swing. Golf is a very explosive sport and without the proper warming of the muscle tissue it can cause injury. Use Golflexx to prevent that injury.

Preventing Sports Injury
Whether you're a professional, teaching pro or player, you know how annoying and debilitating a sports injury can be. In reality, when you have a sports injury you're actually losing on two fronts. An injury does damage to muscles and tendons and you need time to recuperate. You're also losing the time you could have been putting into training or playing. Golf is becoming a sport where stretching and flexibility are essential. Use the only tool of its kind to prevent golf related injury, GOLFLEXX.

Injury Prevention Techniques
Most people are coming to understand both the importance and the benefits of a good warm up. A correct warm up will help to raise body temperature, increase blood flow and promote oxygen supply to the muscles. By performing simple exercises prior to swinging a golf club, GOLFLEXX will help with a correct warm up. It will also help to prepare the mind, body, muscles and joints for the physical activity used in the game of golf.

(NORTHBROOK, Ill.) - Six KemperSports managed properties have recently been recognized by Golfweek, LINKS Magazine and Golf Odyssey (an online travel golf newsletter). Golfweek released its list of Best Casino Courses at the end of 2011, LINKS Magazine announced the Top 10 Municipal Courses in the U.S. in January 2012 and Golf Odyssey published a list of the 2012 Most Anticipated Course Openings in January 2012.

"We are fortunate to work with many great properties and are pleased to have them recognized by the top golf media," said Steve Skinner, chief executive officer, KemperSports.

• The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, designed by Jeffrey D. Brauer, is a beautiful landscape surrounding the shores of Lake Vermilion. The course allows for a challenging yet pleasurable golf experience for players of all skill levels.

• Seneca Hickory Stick, designed by Robert Trent Jones II, is a par-72 layout that features manicured landscapes surrounded by stunning lakes and ponds. The course weaves through native vegetation, wetlands and open meadows.

• Chambers Bay, future site of the 2015 U.S. Open, features breathtaking panoramic views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. The layout, designed by Robert Trent Jones II, encourages inventive shot-making which epitomizes links-style golf.

• Butterfield Trail, a par-72 Tom Fazio design, is highlighted by sand dunes and over 55-feet of elevation changes. Its striking vertical transitions provide a challenging and memorable round of golf.

• Bandon Preserve, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, starts on the land adjacent to Bandon Trails and rolls down toward the beach. The 13-hole par 3 layout provides views of the Pacific Ocean from every hole. The course opens in May, 2012.

• Streamsong, a golf resort in Polk County, Fla., leverages the design experience of Tom Doak and Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw to create two separate yet intertwined golf courses on unique sand sites. Both courses open in December, 2012.

For more information on KemperSports and a complete list of its managed properties, visit www.kempersports.com.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

(ALBERTA, CANADA) - Canadian Rockies Golf - a group of best-in-Canada courses and resorts located in central Alberta - today unveiled its 2012 signature golf packages, including a 144-hole, five-day golf extravaganza, or a relaxed golf-and-fly fishing or spa trip, beginning this May.

Golf vacation experiences in Banff, Jasper, Canmore and Kananaskis Country are included in the group's varied offering, with rates starting at $174 CAD per person, per night.

Here are five travel picks worth reviewing:
• 15-hour Daylight Golf Marathon: Visit the Canadian Rockies near the Summer Solstice, and expect the sun to rise at 7 am and fall around 10 pm daily - making 36 holes a day not only manageable, but easy. Try the Iron Man Golf Package, including eight rounds and five night's stay, starting at $1,439 CAD per person. You might actually fit in three full rounds with this much sun.

• Canmore and the Calgary Stampede: The famed Calgary Stampede will celebrate its Centennial in early July. Enjoy the popular Chuckwagon Races and then drive a quick hour west to the hip and fresh Canmore, playing the meaty Silvertip or Stewart Creek mountain courses with the laid-back Canmore Golf & Curling Club. May Canmore packages start at $174 CAD per person, for a round and an overnight stay.

• Drive and Fly (Fishing, That is): Golfers and anglers will love the Pins and Fins package, combining two days of golf with a full-day fly-fishing excursion with guide and equipment included. Stay four nights, starting at $979 CAD per person.

• Celebrate our Birthdays: Two courses are celebrating birthdays in 2012:
* Visit in May 11-17 to celebrate Kananaskis Country's 30th Anniversary and enjoy $20 rounds (a flashback from 1983). Packages start at $249 CAD/ for two nights and two rounds.
* The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is celebrating their 90th Anniversary with their Jasper Great Golf Getaway, including three nights, two rounds, golf lessons, private Scotch tasting, fly fishing and lakeside barbecue, starting at $3,125 CAD per person.

• Golf Magazine Gold Resorts: The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and The Fairmont Banff Springs were named 2012 Gold Resorts by GOLF Magazine, and Golf Digest's 75 Top Golf Resorts in late 2011. Stay and play both, and enjoy a bonus night at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, through the Fairmont Classic Package, a seven-day excursion through both National Parks and the famed Icefields Parkway. May rates start at $1469 CAD per person.

All packages can be booked through www.canadianrockiesgolf.ca, and include all taxes, gratuities and service charges were applicable. Packages can be customized through the online portal, offering preferred hotel, auto, golf and adventure rates in the Canadian Rockies. rates shown above are based on double occupancy, in Canadian dollars.

Packages can be booked at Golf.GulfShores.com, where quotes from the region’s numerous accommodations partners, as well as availability for golf, are just a click away.

“This is a popular time to visit Gulf Shores because of the prime weather and long list of non-golf activities available on our 32 miles of beach,” says Duncan Millar, executive director of Golf Gulf Shores (www.Golf.GulfShores.com). “Our user-friendly website can quickly produce customized quotes for groups of all sizes, and the new Dining Card will save visitors money each time they dine at one of our partner restaurants.”

Below are just a few of the sample packages available. The rates are valid through May 20, 2012, include all taxes and fees and are based on four nights and three rounds of golf at three different pre-determined courses. Golfers booking these custom packages can add an Unlimited Golf option at all nine partner courses year-round:

Family Vacation: Two-Bedroom Gulf Front Condominium
Rate: $76.12 per person per night ($304.49) for golf and room
Description: Starting-at rate based on four people staying in a two-bedroom condominium with one king, two twin beds and a sleeper sofa.

Buddy Trip: Two-Bedroom Golf Course View Condominium
Rate: $92.13 per person per night ($368.50) for golf and room
Description: Starting-at rate based on four people staying in a two-bedroom condominium with four queen beds.

Romantic Getaway: One-Bedroom Hotel Suite
Rate: $91 per person per night ($366.38) for golf and room
Description: Starting-at rate based on two people staying in a one-bedroom suite. Hot breakfast each day is included.

The new Gulf Shores Dining Card will be awarded to visitors booking stay-and-play packages. The card features nine dining partners with coupons that include taking 15% off the total food bill at one of two Live Bait restaurants, a free cup of the famous Crawfish Corn Chowder at Ribs and Reds Restaurant or a 10% discount at all three Tacky Jack’s locations.

The new Gulf Shores Dining Card will be awarded to visitors booking stay-and-play packages. The card features nine dining partners with coupons that include taking 15% off the total food bill at one of two Live Bait restaurants, a free cup of the famous Crawfish Corn Chowder at Ribs and Reds Restaurant or a 10% discount at all three Tacky Jack’s locations.

For more information or to sign up for a free subscription to the Golf Gulf Shores monthly e-newsletter, visit www.Golf.GulfShores.com or call 1.888.815.1902.

The Gulf Shores Golf Association has also launched a unique, mobile-friendly website version at m.golf.gulfshores.com. The app features clickable sections for Play, Stay, Dine, Maps, Custom Quote and E-newsletter Signup.

Friday, February 24, 2012

(Los Angeles, CA) - Like a dream celebrity golf outing, amazing Pro-Am round, and stylish Hollywood vacation in one, golf glove maker G/FORE has just announced the launch of its "The Ultimate FOREsome" sweepstakes. The Grand Prize winner of this one-of-a-kind opportunity will be flown to Los Angeles - all expenses paid - to take the fourth spot in an incredible round of golf with PGA Tour pro golfer Ricky Barnes, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, and G/FORE designer/founder Mossimo Giannulli.

A chance like this only comes along once in a lifetime, and the sweepstakes only runs through April 30, 2012. The lucky winner will be chosen on May 8th, and "The Ultimate FOREsome" will be scheduled for a special date later in 2012. In addition to a life-changing round of golf, the winner will also receive airfare, hotel accommodation, and a per diem - all taken care of by G/FORE, as well as 10 G/FORE gloves. Daily drawing winners will also receive a complimentary G/FORE glove of their choosing.

G/FORE's colorful gloves have made a splash on courses around the world since their debut in early 2011. Crafted from hand-selected, grade-AA Cabretta leather, G/FORE gloves come in 18 colours and conform to USGA rules. The go-to choice for players both serious and stylish, professional and fun, G/FORE gloves are used by Ricky Barnes on the PGA Tour and have been worn on the course by the likes of sports icon Wayne Gretzky, Kings of Leon rocker Nathan Followill, Golf Digest's Marty "Mr. Style" Hackel, and actor Bill Murray, among others.

Made in the USA, putter's high center of gravity resists miss-hits and sidespin while producing true roll

(Providence, RI) - After 20 years of adjusting off-the-shelf putters to properly fit his students and clients, PGA Teaching Professional Norm Alberigo and the Providence Precision Golf Group (P2G2) are introducing the revolutionary new P2G2 TopStrike Putter, a club that corrects deficiencies common to nearly all other models. Featuring patented technology, the clubhead's center of gravity is high and forward on its face, instead of near the bottom. Energy from a P2G2 stroke is thus transferred directly to the equator of the ball, eliminating hops, backspin and unwanted sidespin even on miss-hits, while producing a clean, pure and true roll.

Conforming to USGA rules, the P2G2 is also manufactured and assembled in Laconia, New Hampshire at Welch Manufacturing Technologies, Ltd., making it one of the few pieces of golf equipment MADE IN THE USA.

The head professional at the Agawam Hunt Club in Rhode Island and a former advisor to Bridgestone Golf, the 48-year-old Alberigo has long held reservations about the design of modern putters.

"After more than 1,500 fittings with people of all body types, it was clear that a lot of the offsets and lie angles were not remotely correct for the individual," he explains. "And no matter the shape of the heads, the basics of putter weighting haven't changed since Karsten Solheim created the Anser Putter in the 1960s."

Alberigo also found that the shafts of putters were too long for most players, and that heads were too light. The combination can lead to instability in a stroke, the poor results of which are magnified on today's fast greens.

Testing existing putters against his design theories, Alberigo made use of Quintic Sports, high speed video analysis equipment. The putting launch monitor software showed that clubs with a low center of gravity and 4-to-6 degrees of loft often rolled putts with undesirable spin variables. With only 2.5 degrees of loft, about 400 grams of weight and a high center of gravity, the P2G2 prototypes rolled putts consistently straight and true.

In other words, the tests confirmed that a lip-out could be blamed on the putter instead of the golfer. Says Alberigo: "We can honestly tell players of all levels, 'this is not your fault.'"

Fixing Tiger, in The Year of the Putter

While there are prophets of doom who believe the Mayan calendar predicts the world will end in 2012, Alberigo is convinced that it's actually The Year of the Putter.

"Many top players feel they've exhausted their hopes of making a consistent, stable and efficient strike with putters that haven't fundamentally changed in 40 years," he says. "Even young players are trying non-traditional length shafts, and manufacturers are experimenting."

It also appears as if the USGA and the R&A will take a pass on banning the alternative putters.

Critics of alternatives claim that being able to anchor the shaft against the body provides an unfair advantage. Alberigo strongly disagrees.

"Long putters perform better, but not because of the anchoring," he said. "What provides stroke stability for belly and long putters is the mass and weight of the larger club-heads. Now, add in a high center of gravity on the face-and a loft of less than three degrees-and you can see why we believe P2G2 is going to lead this trend."

Moreover, with all due respect to the current popular designs on tour, Alberigo believes he can help many of the top players who struggle on those pesky five to ten footers.

"Many of the top players' misses have a direct relationship to their chosen putter designs. I know that there are misses where they have executed perfectly but the design encourages spin characteristics associated with the miss. Inside of ten feet-on tour speed greens-requires the putter head's stability to be at its highest state. This is what separates our design. We believe that putts missed would have been holed with our design."

The Three Putters & Custom Configuration

Manufactured of 300 series stainless steel, titanium and aircraft-grade aluminum, the P2G2 TopStrike comes in three different models, all with a proprietary herringbone patterned, face. All models come standard with a stainless steel body, aluminum sole plate and titanium hosel. The Model 2025 is a standard blade putter, and the Model 2225 has a body and face identical to the blade, yet on its rear is a rectangular strike plate with arrows to provide extra visual alignment for a stroke path. Model 2425 is identical to the 2225, only with an additional semi-circle balance ring in the back, which gives it a complete mallet look.

While the three putters might initially appear different, they flow from a true modular design. All have the same chassis, but come with added options. The blade sells for $250; Model 2225 costs $275; and the Model 2425 mallet goes for $295.

Since the clubs are available only from Providence Precision Golf, the company recommends that buyers use their web-based "Custom Club Configurator." First, select the desired model, right or left-handed. Second, with your current putter take a stance and a normal grip, and with a standard yardstick measure the distance from your bottom finger to the ground. Do it three times to find an average, which will likely be between 20 and 30 inches. Also enter your height, and decide if you want a standard, belly or long putter. These measurements enable P2G2 to create a putter with a shaft length and corresponding lie angle that facilitates a smooth pendulum stroke.

The TopStrike putter is guaranteed to meet your expectations or P2G2 will refund the full purchase price, with no questions asked, within 90 days. Moreover, standard orders can also be custom configured within 90 days for only the cost of shipping charges.

The Pee Wee golf program established in 2008 looking to broaden horizons and grow the game; Industry taking notice

(Deltona, FL) - "We are very excited about the future with what we are looking to accomplish" explains PGA Golf Professional Brendon Elliott, Founder of The Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development. "Our 501c3 has not even been in place for two months yet and we are making some tremendous strides forward already," Elliot says.

The nonprofit recently received a grant from the PGA Foundation and the Barbara & Jack Nicklaus Junior Golf Endowment fund. It also had a laser printer donated from Lexmark, who is the official printing technology provider of the PGA of America.

"It is very encouraging to have the support of these organizations and companies and we are so very grateful," Elliott adds. "We have some other grants we are looking to secure soon and we are hoping to gain even more support as we continue to gain momentum."

Other companies such as Almost Golf Balls, The Golfers Footprint, Golf Coach Direct and the Littlest Golfer, Inc. have pledged their support.

The Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development will be the vehicle that will launch the acclaimed Little Linksters Golf Program to areas nationwide in 2012. PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is the founder of Little Linksters, LLC and the developer of the Little Linksters program designed for kids 3-8 years of age.

Elliott, a 2010 and 2011 US Kids Golf Top 50 Kids Teacher and the 2011 NFPGA Junior Golf Leader award winner, developed the program in 2008 in the greater Orlando area. From the beginning, Elliott had a desire to have PGA & LPGA Professionals nationwide share in his vision by introducing kids 3-8 to golf in a streamlined, uniform and most importantly, FUN format.

"Kids start golf far too late in life," explains Elliott. "Traditionally, kids are introduced to golf at age 9 or 10 and by then they have been exposed to so many other sports and activities. With all that the game of golf offers, the values and life lessons it teaches along with giving young children a sense of self discovery, accomplishment and individuality, we need to get kids into the game sooner ... much, much sooner. That's what Little Linksters does."

Still in the early stages of development is the July 22 100 holes of golf fundraising event, "Little Golf for Big Purpose" to be played on the Legends Walk short course at Orange Lake Resort in Kissimmee, FL.

"This will be our major fundraiser event for the year which will have two components to it," Elliott explains." "The first will be the 100-hole fundraising aspect, which comes from the event, and the other will be the online component of raising funds, which will see prizes for the top fundraisers on both a monthly bases and for the year."

Brendon Elliott is a 1993 graduate of Norwich High School in Norwich, NY and a 1996 graduate of the State University of New York at Delhi with a degree in Golf Course Operations. In September of 2009, he completed the PGA of America's Golf Professional Training Program and in doing so became a Class A PGA Professional.

Elliott is the former Head Golf Professional at the Winter Park Country Club in Winter Park, FL where he was from 1998-2011. He is the owner of the newly opened Little Linksters Golf Academy @ Metrowest Golf Club in Orlando, FL. He developed his Little Linksters "mobile" program for kids 3-8 years of age in early 2008. The four-week program runs continually throughout the year and takes place at Daycares/Pre-Schools, City Parks, YMCA's and at Golf Courses.

In addition to the "mobile" program, Little Linksters runs the Little Linksters "Tour," which will see 11 events in 2012 that will be contested throughout central and northern Florida. These introductory and non-competitive tournaments for kid's ages 3-8 is the on course component to the Little Linksters program. Both the "mobile" program and "Tour" are run through the non-profit, Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development.

Golf at popular Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa near Austin takes on a new look during Spring Break 2012, with over-sized golf cups and other family-friendly entertainment options

(AUSTIN/BASTROP, TEXAS) — Buoyed by the “Golf 2.0” buzz permeating throughout the recent PGA Industry Show in Orlando, Eric Claxton returned to Texas focused on creating ways the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa and its popular Wolfdancer Golf Club could help grow the game.

Described by the PGA of America as the most important initiative undertaken in its 96-year existence, Golf 2.0 is intended to make the game user-friendlier and halt slumping participation by keeping golf relevant and desirable among consumers with less money and more options. And of course, junior golf and family participation in the game are a big part of the equation.

With that in mind, Claxton — Hyatt’s Senior Director of Golf at Wolfdancer Golf Club — focused on Spring Break 2012 as an ideal opportunity to add another family-friendly activity at the acclaimed Texas property, which attracts more than 1,500 daily guests during this time period.

The result: On March 11, Wolfdancer Golf Club will have a different look, one that includes over-sized cups and family tees on each hole of its Arthur Hills design. Junior golfers 17-years-old and under will play for free after 12 noon with an accompanying paid adult. A $100 family pass will be available after 4 PM including golf, rental clubs and golf balls for a family of four.

“We are going to see how this first event goes, and then evaluate from there,” said Claxton. “I hope we will be able to do this once a month during the summer season.”

The 405-acre hotel and resort has stood as an appealing family destination since opening in 2006. Hyatt Lost Pines’ unique setting along the banks of the Lower Colorado River provides families a variety of additional activities, including horseback riding and hiking, river rafting, full-service Spa Django (and Wild Hare Youth Spa), live music and a water park featuring the manmade 1,000-foot Crooked River pool with two-story water slide.

(Phoenix) – in fiamme (www.infiamme.net), the world’s finest Italian golf apparel, is now among the apparel selections in the golf shop at Arizona Biltmore Country Club in Phoenix. Custom-made hand-sewn in fiamme men’s golf shirts are featured in the shop. Made-to-order in fiamme golf shirts also are available.

“We are pleased that Arizona Biltmore Golf Course now offers in fiamme custom-made Italian golf shirts,” said Art Kimbrough, vice president of business development for in fiamme. “Golfers and resort vacationers will enjoy discovering the exceptional fabrication, craftsmanship, coloration and designs of in fiamme apparel.”

Adjacent to the renowned resort, the Arizona Biltmore Country Club boasts a challenging 36-hole design, featuring two premier Phoenix resort golf courses: The Adobe and The Links. Built in 1928 and restored in 2004, the Adobe offers wide fairways and classic cross bunkers for extra challenge. The Links features rolling fairways, desert ravines and five pristine lakes, calling for a high level of sportsmanship, bold shots and demanding accuracy.

(POWAY, Calif.) - Led by their latest shaft technology, RIP (Reverse Interlaminar Placement), Aldila (www.aldila.com) captured the wood and hybrid shaft manufacturer counts at the Northern Trust Open to remain the No. 1 graphite shaft on the PGA Tour. "The Hottest Shafts In Golf" had 17 more wood shafts and seven more hybrid shafts in play than their closest competitor, according to the Darrell Survey.

Aldila has won the wood shaft manufacturer count for the past six weeks on the PGA Tour by having at least 15 more wood shafts in play than the next leading shaft manufacturer. Aldila has also won the hybrid shaft manufacturer count five of the past six weeks.

"The top players on the PGA Tour continue to trust Aldila's RIP Technology because it provides them with lower torque, increased tip stability and better tip stiffness control," said Stewart Bahl, Aldila's Marketing Manager. "With the RIP, Aldila engineers employed patent-pending technology and exclusive materials to completely transform shaft design from the inside out providing players with shot control."

The RIP series now features five different shafts to help meet the needs of a variety of players. The Alpha, Beta, Gamma, RIP'd NV and RIP Phenom.

The Alpha is a tip-stiff, low-to-mid launch with low spin and is the original shaft with lower torque, increased tip stability and better tip stiffness. The Beta version has a slightly softer tip flex for mid launch, the Gamma has the same launch characteristics as the original Alpha with a higher balance point for use with heavier heads to achieve a conventional swing weight.

The RIP'd NV incorporates the best performance attributes from two of Aldila's most innovative shaft designs -- the 'perfect feel' and slim, stable shaft profile of the Aldila NV and the unprecedented control and accuracy of the Aldila RIP. The Aldila NV, featuring Micro Laminate technology (MLT), is the most popular aftermarket shaft in history.

The Phenom incorporates RIP Technology with a unique composite construction to create a new and innovative shaft flex profile for maximum distance and control - the Hyperbolic Flex Zone. RIP Technology repositions the materials and patterns to optimize the performance characteristics of the shaft. The Phenom's Hyperbolic Flex Zone provides a stiff tip section for optimal launch and spin control, with a very firm butt section for an incredibly stable feel. The center section of the shaft is softer to provide outstanding kick through impact to maximize ball speed.

"Through the use of a Hyperbolic Flex Zone, the RIP Phenom incorporates the same flex, torque and feel properties that have made the original RIP the leading shaft on the PGA Tour, with a flex profile to achieve unparalleled performance and launch characteristics for better players," said Bahl.

Aldila catapults power to an unprecedented level. High performance technology harnessed and perfected from a special blend of materials, design and expertise. They are continually on the leading edge of the golf world through their relentless pursuit of the next best innovation. They do the experimenting so you don't have to. Pushing success to the edge and redefining how power should feel. Are you playing Aldila, or just graphite?

Thursday, February 23, 2012

(French Lick, IN) - French Lick Resort, the award winning golf destination in Southern Indiana, has been selected among three finalists for the National Golf Course Owners Association "Course of the Year." The new Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort will be representing the Indiana Chapter as its first course to be selected as a finalist.

The NGCOA "Course of the Year" Award will be announced Feb. 28 in Las Vegas during the NGCOA Annual Convention. The award honors a member meeting four criteria: exceptional quality of the course, exceptional quality of ownership and management, outstanding contribution to its community, and significant contribution to the game.

The Pete Dye course, which opened in 2009, burst on to the national scene by receiving America's best new course accolades by the two leading golf publications in the country, Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine.

The course was also a major factor in the $500 million dollar restoration and casino development project lead by its founder and chief visionary, Bill Cook, whose corporate philanthropy changed lives and communities around the world including the small town of French Lick, Indiana. The development of the Pete Dye course and the reclamation of French Lick Resort continue to have an enormous economic impact on the small town of French Lick. Cook's generosity and vision still provides jobs for nearly 1,700 of the counties 3,000 residents.

The Pete Dye course was carefully carved into a dramatic site upon a hilltop - one of the highest points in the state - offering panoramic views in all directions that stretch for 30-40 miles. The course features a variety of elevation changes, rugged and dramatic terrain, narrow fairways, and challenging bunkers, along with spectacular views from every hole.

The Dye course has already gained recognition as a leading tournament site by hosting the 2010 PGA Professional National Championship, and will play host to the Big Ten Championship in 2012 and the LPGA Legends Championship in 2013.

(Covington, Ga.) — Bridgestone Golf, the No. 1 Ball-Fitter in Golf, is bolstering its world-class Tour Team with the addition of the LPGA star Karrie Webb. Webb, a seven-time LPGA Major Champion that was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2005, will join fellow Bridgestone Golf LPGA stars Paula Creamer, Sophie Gustafson and Ai Miyazato in teeing it up at this week’s HSBC Women’s Champions 2012 event, where she is the defending champion.

In her title defense in Singapore, Webb will rely on Bridgestone Golf’s new TOUR B330-RX golf ball and Bridgestone’s Tour Glove. Bridgestone’s new TOUR B330-RX ball features the company’s proprietary Dual Dimple Technology cover for optimized aerodynamic performance. The cover’s smaller inner dimples increase thrust power at launch for greater distance while the larger outer dimples promote a shallow angle of descent for increased roll out on landing. The result of the improved performance at both takeoff and landing is greater overall distance performance and a more consistent wind-cheating ball flight.

“I am delighted to have joined the Bridgestone Golf tour team, as I have been hearing great things about the B330-RX on Tour since Paula’s debut with it,” said Webb. “After going through a full ball fitting, I realized what an advantage the softer compression provides me off the tee without sacrificing any performance greenside. As an added benefit, the ball performs very well in the wind, and that is something that will come in very handy here at the HSBC.”

In her illustrious career, Webb has amassed 38 LPGA victories, seven major championships and 10 international victories, as well. She is one of only six women to have achieved the LPGA’s Career Grand Slam (winning all four professional majors), being the youngest to do so. In addition to the ball and glove, the deal with Bridgestone will also see Webb using a Bridgestone Golf umbrella in all professional events. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Visit www.bridgestonegolf.com to see Bridgestone Golf’s entire 2012 Tour Team and to view the complete lineup of new products.

(BELLEVUE, Wash.) – Boxgroove (www.boxgroove.com), an inventive, reliable online network offering golfers the opportunity to play private golf courses of their choosing, has added Fox Valley Golf Club in Kaukauna, Wisc., to the selection of private courses Boxgroove members can play.

"Fox Valley is an attractive playable golf course," said McRedmond Morelli, founder and CEO of Boxgroove." When Boxgroove members travel to Wisconsin, they will find Fox Valley to be a very fine golf experience."

Fox Valley Golf Club, known as "The Fox," is a haven for people with a passion for golf and the social atmosphere that surrounds it. The 18-hole championship golf course at The Fox provides an enjoyable challenge for players of all skill and experience levels. It is a playable course with gently rolling hills. The Fox features pace of play that moves quickly and there is little time spent searching for lost balls. Players will experience the quiet peace of the course's natural beauty. Jason Haack, PGA, is a member of the golf operations staff at The Fox.

"Boxgroove allows Fox Valley Golf Club to deliver even greater value to our members and prospective members," said Steve Nockerts, director of operations and director of golf at Fox Valley. "Having access to some of the finest private golf courses throughout the U.S. is a wonderful benefit, and we're hoping to see increased revenue from guest play at our club as other Boxgroove members come to our area and enjoy our course."

More than a tee-time aggregator, reciprocal-club network or fractionalized country-club membership, Boxgroove offers players seeking diverse golf experiences the opportunity to forge new golf relationships and play private courses in the United States, which they select from the Boxgroove options. Boxgroove provides members with meaningful opportunities to play private golf clubs around the U.S., a powerful arena for business and social networking, a simple Web-based method of accessing tee times at private golf clubs and a national community that shares passion for the game. For business or vacation travel, or even a weekend away, Boxgroove provides members with the chance to explore appealing golf venues while meeting new players or bringing their own guests.

Designed by private-club members, PGA Golf Professionals and private-club board members, Boxgroove works exclusively with private clubs to strengthen and grow membership, maximize revenue and increase club exposure.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

The Spring 2012 Tour Premium collection balances classic looks with high-tech fabrics and exquisite detailing for both men and women

(BEAVERTON, Ore.) - With industry-leading styles and innovative technology, the world’s number one golf apparel company, Nike Golf, is once again redefining the polished edge of modern athleticism with the new Tour Premium apparel line. A bold step from Nike Golf for Spring 2012, the Tour Premium line balances refined style with uncompromising performance, enabling fashion conscious golfers to look and play their best.

The Tour Premium collection features cutting-edge designs for polos, cover-ups, pants, shorts and headwear for both men and women. With a combination of uncompromising craftsmanship and tailoring, detailed method of make, and a very modern aesthetic and fit, the Tour Premium collection is for the athlete who wants luxury performance apparel.

Using the most luxurious performance fabrics, the Tour Premium apparel is amplified through tailored details and distinctive silhouettes for athletes who want the finest quality. The color throughout the collection is grounded in black with a hot edge pop color of Spark and Cyber for men and Scarlet Fire for women.

"We have designed the most luxurious performance apparel for the athlete who wants distinct looks with unique product trims and details with a modern look and fit," said Doug Reed, Nike Golf Category Business Director. “The Tour Premium apparel is designed for the athlete who seeks craftsmanship and tailoring, while demanding the very best in performance.”

Notable styles for men in the Spring 2012 Tour Premium collection are the Premium Jersey polo (MSRP $90) which comes in a variety of bold yet classic colors. The Premium Jersey Polo features a stylish shape, with a three-button placket and drop-tail hem while being constructed with Nike's patented Dri-FIT technology. Also featured in the collection is the new Premium 5-Pocket Pant (MSRP $130.00), highlighting the collection's focus on the definitive style of the modern game. Featuring stretch Dri-FIT material and a slim fit, the pant-available in black-is a comfortable and breathable combination of cotton, polyester and spandex.

For women, the Premium Convertible Skort (MSRP $110) is a reversible design that is constructed of Dri-FIT taffeta to deliver the ultimate premium performance skort. This reversible skort has a polka-dot design on one side and a solid on the reverse. The Premium Ruched Sleeve Polo (MSRP $85) is a slim-fit short-sleeve polo with Dri-FIT fabric and ruched sleeves for a fashion-forward look on the course.

Texas octogenarian “Tiny” Leach is a garrulous, wise-cracking treasure trove of entertaining stories inspired by a Capra-esque life. Among her most enduring feats: Helping change the course of women’s golf around the Lone Star State.

(AUSTIN/BASTROP, TEXAS) — While Marjorie “Tiny” Leach may not be a household name in the world of golf, she is a living legend in golf circles around her native Austin and throughout the Lone Star State.

Tiny’s “celebrity” is due in part to her nearly half-century of tireless work on behalf of the Texas Women’s Amateur Golf Association (TWAGA). Each year, the TWAGA Championship Trophy is given in honor of Tiny as a tribute to all she has given to the organization.

But there is far more to the story of the 81-year-old whose oversized spirit and ebullient personality belie her nickname. Indeed, Tiny Leach is a tough, independent, quick-witted woman who has lived a life that would make Forrest Gump proud; a Texas treasure who has excelled at various points along the way as a rancher, businesswoman and champion golfer.

Linksters tackling Wolfdancer Golf Club outside Austin learn about Tiny Leach firsthand when they pass through the Wolfdancer starter’s hut, which stands in her honor and includes a collage of photographs and articles documenting her numerous newsworthy experiences in and away from the game of golf.

The 150 acres of Wolfdancer Golf Club is part of the 405-acre Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa, which sits within a larger, 1,000-plus acre natural park. The Wolfdancer golf course was designed by Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest & Associates and has been lauded since it opened in 2006.

Before the Hyatt developers arrived the land’s previous owner had been Ms. Leach, who for many years had owned and operated a successful cattle ranch on the site nestled along the banks of the Colorado River, while at the same time running her Austin leather store, “Tiny’s Western Shop.”

The Bastrop County native says she was “born poor in money, but rich in family values” in 1930 to a second generation of central Texans. Tiny spent her childhood milking cows on her family’s dairy in Austin.

In 1951, Tiny began working at a boot and saddle shop under the tutelage of its owner, legendary cowboy, rodeo man, bootlegger and leather man T.C. “Buck” Steiner, learning to do custom hand tooling of leather goods while helping outfit everyone from famous gangsters to Texas governors.

Eight years later, Tiny took a small stake and struck out on her own.

She was in her 20s when Tiny decided to try her hand at golf, encouraged by her older brothers who had played the game and caddied most of their lives, and influenced by her Austin family friend Harvey Penick. She did not spend much time playing, however, electing instead to spend most of her time on the driving range and the putting green.

“I’d practice ‘til my hands like to wore out,” Ms. Leach says with her trademark Texas drawl. “People would ask me, ‘You ever gonna play or just practice?’ Well, I didn’t want to go out on the course and embarrass myself or anyone who knows me!”

It wasn’t long before all her practice began to pay off for Ms. Leach. She won the Austin women’s city championship three times in a row and in 1966 won the TWAGA state championship tournament before she “got busy making a living.”

And while the business world was equally kind to Ms. Leach, she had a lifelong friend who over time had squandered the majority of her family inheritance. “She was born to money,” Ms. Leach says, “but as I like to say, ‘The show was over, the tent fell and the monkey died.’” When her old friend eventually needed to sell her farmland she turned to Tiny, who bought the land in 1975.

In the early 2000s, Ms. Leach was approached by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) about selling her land — eventually telling her she could, in essence, name her price.

It was at that time Tiny discovered another of life’s important lessons.

“I learned a great motivator in life is being handed a lot of money you never thought you’d get,” Ms. Leach recalls with a laugh. “I walked into the bathroom of my store, looked at myself in the mirror and said, ‘Old lady, today we’re gonna sell us some land.’ I’d have been arrested for being insane if I didn’t sell.”

Through her myriad experiences, Ms. Leach has made the acquaintance of Texas golf legends like Babe Zaharias and Patty Berg, and she has enjoyed longtime friendships with legendary Austin natives Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite. In addition, Ms. Leach is responsible for founding the Texas Women’s Open Amateur tournament, a classic, match-play event open to all non-professional women golfers in the state.

After retiring from competitive golf, Ms. Leach became move involved with TWAGA and began serving on its board, eventually serving in every TWAGA board position at least once and serving as President several times.

In 1977 she became the TWAGA State Tournament Director, a position she has held ever since. Because of her endearing banter and her relationship with so many people in the golfing community she continues to bring the tournament to wonderful venues.

With a keen eye for details, Ms. Leach has worked hard to see that the tournaments are well placed and impeccably coordinated year after year. And she makes certain that the tournament maintains the integrity and sportsmanship that it was designed to do from the beginning.

When the 2010 state tournament host course lost its greens and was forced to back out at the last minute, Ms. Leach had the opportunity to bring her signature event to her one-time ranch, which now served as home to Wolfdancer Golf Club. Tiny approached Wolfdancer Senior Director of Golf Eric Claxton and told him: “Wolfdancer is near and dear to my heart. Next year is my 80th birthday and I want to celebrate by having my tournament on your golf course.”

Appropriately, perhaps, the tournament at Wolfdancer proved one of the most popular in recent memory. At dinner the evening prior to the championship round, many of the Hyatt Lost Pines staff and 130 tournament contestants gathered around to serenade Ms. Leach with a heartfelt rendition of “Happy Birthday.”

“When I was young I realized I wanted to amount to something,” Ms. Leach says. “I saw in golf a chance to amount to something.

World’s leader in golf improvement announces expansion into Asia, plans to hire 200 more coaches, and give hundreds of thousands more lessons

(Centennial, Colo.) - GolfTEC, the world leader in golf improvement, announced plans today to expand into Asia with as many as 140 new centers opening in Japan and Korea.

The launching of new international centers is just one element in a multi-year growth program that also includes plans to grow aggressively in the U.S. and Canada with 30 new openings planned for 2012, and to hire as many as 200 new coaches and give hundreds of thousands of lessons. In fact, by the end of 2012, GolfTEC estimates that its coaches will have given nearly 4 million lessons since the company was founded in 1995.

This incredible and unprecedented growth spurt comes on top of double-digit increases in same-store sales over the last two years, with 2012 already looking very good. Same-store sales growth was 13.4% in 2010 and 15% in 2011. January 2012 was GolfTEC’s 29th straight month of same-store sales rise, and after just five months of FY 2012, sales are up 8.1%—with the height of the season yet to come.
In Japan, master franchisee GDO (Golf Digest Online Inc.) anticipates opening its first GolfTEC improvement centers in the first half of this year. The long-range plan for Japan projects the opening of as many as 100 centers in the future. GDO, is the largest online golf portal with 1.9 million registered members. GDO operates the largest online golf shop, as well as the top online golf media and online tee time booking services. The company was founded in 2000 by Mike Ishizaka and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

“Most of the work comes in the first few years,” explains GolfTEC President and CEO Joe Assell. “We have to locate vendors and have all our software and manuals translated. But once that’s done we can scale up pretty quickly,” adds Assell, who with Mike Clinton, COO, founded the company in 1995.

In golf-mad South Korea—where it is estimated that 20% of the 50 million residents play golf—plans are to open as many as five new centers in the next three years, steadily adding locations until a minimum of 40 centers are in operation. The franchisee is GolfTEC Korea, run by a team of native Korean and Korean-American businesspeople, including local CEOs and former U.S. military officers who were also GolfTEC students.

In Canada, there are two GolfTEC sites opened, with plans of six more this year and the inauguration of 40 new centers steadily over the next decade.

Helping to fuel this remarkable rise, GolfTEC forecasts that it will hire at least 200 new coaches in 2012, many in the U.S. where the rest of the golf industry has been dealing with flat to negative growth.

“Most of those coaches will work in new centers opening around the United States this year plus others that are expanding,” Assell explains. “But some of them are for our new international locations. In fact, we are looking to hire American professionals interested in going to Japan or Korea. We employ PGA-certified instructors worldwide and are proud to be one of the few companies hiring more PGA professionals at a time when the golf industry is struggling.”

GolfTEC’s coaches new and old should expect to be busy. After setting a company record of nearly 580,000 lessons last year, Assell estimates GolfTEC will give more than 670,000 lessons in 2012, putting the grand total of lessons since 1995 at nearly 4 million.

“Our plans both immediately and over the long term are for significant growth,” Assell says. “We are committed to opening more centers as well as buying back select franchises to increase our corporate-owned presence. We love the business and want to own more of it."

“Furthermore, we want to add one new country each year. We are definitely going to grow internationally and are actively looking for overseas partners.”

For further information access the GolfTEC web site at www.GolfTEC.com or call (303) 779-9900.

(Missoula, Montana) – New for 2012 Sun Mountain rain gear includes the Torrent collection. Torrent offers guaranteed waterproof protection using an advanced, new four-way stretch woven fabric that shields against wind and rain while remaining breathable and stretching to allow a free golf swing. Torrent is available in a full-zip jacket and pant for men and women. Torrent LT is lighter-weight and comes in three men’s styles, including a jacket, half-zip pullover and short sleeve pullover plus pant. Retail prices range from $119 - $164.

Technically speaking, construction of the Torrent consists of a waterproof/breathable membrane laminated to a four-way stretch woven fabric that is treated with an advanced durable water repellant (DWR) finish. Sewn to the interior of the garment is a liner to protect the waterproof membrane and to offer a slick layer that does not catch and grab on players’ clothes.

“We have been working diligently for the past couple of years to find a stretchable, woven fabric to complement our ever-popular knit RainFlex line of rain gear,” explained Sun Mountain Founder Rick Reimers. “The fabric used in the Torrent is the same fabric that performed admirably in the team gear we created for the 2011 USA Presidents Cup Team.”

Torrent LT is a lighter weight version of Torrent thanks to a laminated liner, as opposed to the sewn-in liner on the Torrent. In technical terms, Torrent LT is 2.5 layer construction, a method popular in the outdoor industry, which means the garment is made from the same stretchable woven fabric and uses the same waterproof/breathable laminate and DWR as the Torrent but has a lighter liner.

Both Torrent and Torrent LT come with a two-year waterproof guarantee.

Additional features on the Torrent Jacket include: expansion pleats on the back for additional range of motion, two-way full-length zippers, adjustable hems and cuffs, internal chest pocket, and hand-warmer pockets. Torrent Pant offers zipper-fly, elastic waist with dual cinch adjustment, zippered back pocket and pass-through hand warmer pockets, snap system at hem that allows easy adjustment of pant length, and lower leg zippers with full gussets.

For 30 years Sun Mountain has been a pioneer in the golf industry, revolutionizing golf bags, golf outerwear and golf carts. Sun Mountain's many innovations, including the first lightweight golf bag and modern stand bag, have made it the top golf bag company in North America. Within golf outerwear, Sun Mountain redefined golf-specific performance first with the windshirt, then fleece, and again with its four-way stretch, waterproof, and breathable rainwear. The Sun Mountain Speed Cart golf push cart transformed walking carts and created an entirely new category of golf products. Sun Mountain's "Ahead of Time Design" motto drives the company to continually design and refine golf equipment.

(PHOENIX) – With his trusty all-pink PING G20 driver, Bubba Watson is No. 1 on the PGA Tour in average driving distance at 315.5 yards. At last week’s Northern Trust Open he led the field, averaging 325 yards off the tee. More important to Watson, 35 of his drives traveled 300 yards or farther. That means to date he has raised $41,200 from equipment sponsor PING as part of his effort to raise $1 million for charities this PGA Tour season.

In addition to a $10,000 upfront contribution, PING is supporting “Bubba & Friends Drive to a Million” by donating $300 for every drive he hits 300 yards or more (up to 300 drives) in 2012. PING’s fundraising event is called, “Bubba Long in Pink. Driven by PING.” All funds raised will go to Phoenix-area charities, chosen by PING with Bubba’s support.

On the season, nearly 62% of Watson’s drives have traveled 300-plus yards, the highest percentage on the PGA Tour. He’s in the field this week at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, Feb. 22-26, outside Tucson, Ariz.

(Phoenix, AZ) – Players Towel, featuring high performance microfiber waffle technology, continued its domination of professional golf by capturing the Northern Trust Open, as well as six top-eight finishes, including all three in the dramatic play- off, at famed Riviera Country Club for its fourth win in two weeks.

“I would like to congratulate the winner of the Northern Trust Open for his dramatic play-off victory and his fourth career win,” said Patrick Le Vine, founder of Players Towel. “With an unprecedented four professional victories in two weeks, and five in 2012 alone, the Players Towel has proven once again that it is the towel of choice for the world’s best golfers and their caddies.”

The Players Towel, and its microfiber technology, provides the best absorption and cleaning characteristics available on the market, allowing for optimal groove cleaning, absorption and durability.

“Because of the U.S. Open like conditions, it is no surprise that the three playoff contenders, as well as 6 of the top 8 finishers, relied on the Players Towel as a valuable piece of their equipment,” added Le Vine.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

(Maumee, OHIO) - aboutGolf, a world leader in golf simulator and golf performance technology, announced today the signing of a partnership with Dixon Golf, the first manufacturer of high performance eco-friendly golf balls.

aboutGolf will join Dixon in its philanthropic mission as an official sponsor of the 2012 Dixon Challenge. The Challenge, which included more than 800 charity tournaments throughout 2011, is a fun Par-3 game that helps non-profits increase revenue at charity golf tournaments.

As a 2012 sponsor of the Dixon Challenge, aboutGolf will offer a new Golf Performance Technology Suite, including an aG Studio launch monitor, aG Balance Pro weight transfer analysis system, aG Flix video swing analysis system and Perform Pro software, as a raffle prize to one lucky winner who registers at a Challenge event.

"Dixon Golf has an impressive history of progressiveness," says Chuck Faust, President, aboutGolf. "Our partnership with Dixon Golf is natural, as both companies embrace the modern values of golfers through technology, sustainability and social accountability."

The Dixon Challenge has been held at tournaments benefiting such well known causes as the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the American Cancer Society, the March of Dimes and many others.

In addition to collaborating on the Dixon Challenge, aboutGolf will also soon begin offering Dixon Golf balls as the official eco golf ball of its simulators and will be available for use in its PGA TOUR Simulators.

"Bringing the best-in-class simulator and golf technology provider on-board with the Challenge will have a significant positive impact on the results for the charities we work with and for Dixon products," says William Carey, CEO, Dixon Golf.

Dixon Golf joins aboutGolf's list of distinguished partners, which includes PGA TOUR, Golf Channel, European Tour Performance Institute and David Leadbetter, as well as a lineup of golf experts on its Board of Innovation. The Board of Innovation, which includes world No. 1 golfer Luke Donald, is a group of industry experts who advise aboutGolf regarding research, development and market trends.

(SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.) – Prominent Arizona golf industry leader, Ed Francese was recently inducted into the Southwest Section P.G.A of America Hall of Fame. Francese joined four other 2012 Hall of Fame inductees who were recognized at the recent Southwest Section Awards Dinner held in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Southwest Section PGA Hall of Fame Committee, comprised of prominent section professionals and other industry leaders, selects Hall of Fame award winners.

The inscription on the plaque for the Hall of Fame winners reads:“The highest honor the Southwest Section PGA can bestow. This faithful PGA Professional will be forever remembered for his significant and endearing contributions to the game of golf and the Southwest Section PGA.”

Francese has certainly had his share of significant contributions to the game and to the Southwest Section PGA. He has also served as a member Southwest Section P.G.A Board of Directors for 10 consecutive years and has a decorated career within the Arizona golf industry for over three decades.

Francese is no stranger to awards from the Southwest Section P.G.A, having received honors such as the Southwest Section P.G.A Golf Professional of the Year (1982 and 1993) and Southwest Section P.G.A Player of the Year (1976).

An accomplished player, Francese has competed in the Goldwater Cup Matches eight different years and competed at the highest level playing in the 1977 P.G.A Championship at Pebble Beach, in the Phoenix Open three times and the Tucson Open twice.

His mark on to the golf industry is also prominent in the golf courses themselves as he has served as the construction project manager at nine different gol f courses including notable Arizona courses such as We-Ko-Pa Golf Club’s Cholla Course, We-Ko-Pa Golf Club’s Saguaro Course and the Gallery at Dove Mountain in Tucson, to name a few.

Today he is the principal of EF Golf management and consulting. Together, in a partnership with OB Sports, Ed Francese manages all aspects of the highly acclaimed We-Ko-Pa Golf Club that has earned a number of Top 100 accolades and who’s Coore-Crenshaw, designed Saguaro Course is currently ranked as the No. 1 “Best Course You Can Play in Arizona” by Golfweek Magazine in their State-by-State ranking.

Francese joins an esteemed group of Arizona golf industry professionals who have been inducted into the Southwest Section P.G.A Hall of Fame. Past inductees include former P.G.A President Brian Whitcomb, the late Johnny Bulla who was a legendary player and golf course architect as well as the late Arch Watkins who spent over 35 years serving the Arizona golf industry, to name a few.

(HAMBURG, NJ) - The 1970s are back and in full swing at Crystal Spring’s Great Gorge Country Club, where the retro-chic interior design of the clubhouse rekindles the “Playboy” atmosphere that Hugh Hefner originally created.

Opened in 1970 as an amenity to Hefner’s famed Great Gorge Playboy Club, the extraordinary George Fazio-designed 27-hole golf course continues to stand the test of time. And now golfers can step off the course and onto the shag carpet that is part of the Playboy setting at Great Gorge.

Great Gorge has channeled Hef’s mojo to shake up things. Among the new amenities and 70s touches include psychedelic wallpaper, casual nightclub style seating; a totally groovy outside deck perfect for mingling and group gatherings; funky new merchandise selections, featuring Loudmouth golf apparel and very cool shades.

The three nines include the Quarryside Course (playing through spectacular rock outcroppings and diverse water hazards), the Lakeside Course (set amid sparkling lakes and mature trees, with dramatic elevation changes), and the Railside Course (the most scenic nine and also, the most forgiving, as strategically protected green sites are sculpted into the dramatic terrain).

To open up the 2012 season, golf groups may take advantage of the Vintage 1970’s golf package. This package and special rate is for golf groups of 16 or more and is priced at $70 per person for:
* 18 holes of golf with a cruisin' cart
* Unlimited range balls
* Yardage book
* $5 Pro Shop Credit
* Pabst Blue Ribbon Keg at the 19th hole
* Burgers n' dogs, saucy salads & Hef's famous cheesecake
* Coffee, tea and TAB

Crystal Springs Resort brings the best public golf facilities in New Jersey together to form the northeast’s premier golf destination. Golfers can choose from seven award-winning layouts designed by some of the game’s best architects including Roger Rulewich, George Fazio, Robert von Hagge and Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The lineup includes: Ballyowen, recognized as the No. 1 course in the state of New Jersey, and named among the “Top 50 Resort Golf Courses in the U.S.” by Golfweek; Black Bear, Cascades, Crystal Springs, Wild Turkey, Minerals and of course, Great Gorge.

Crystal Springs Resort is conveniently located just one hour from New York City and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). It’s also easily accessible from LaGuardia and JFK, as well as by numerous private aviation facilities.